Although these profound women are known for many firsts, most notable the first African American women to reach millionaire and billionaire status, the essence of their legacy lies in their ability to inspire and to incite change.
Rising out of the ashes of poverty, Madam C.J. Walker went on to become the first Black female millionaire. This was not her only accomplishment, however. Madam Walker used her wealth as a way to advocate for African Americans and to help put a stop to lynchings.
Born on a Louisiana plantation in 1867, Sarah Breedlove was the name given to her by her formerly enslaved parents, Owen and Minerva Anderson Breedlove. Orphaned at such a young age, seven-year-old Walker was left to live with her older sister, and the two of them worked in the cotton fields to make ends meet.
After being widowed, Walker left with her two children and moved to St. Louis, Missouri in 1889, seeking a way out of destitute poverty. It wasn’t until 1904 that Walker joined Annie Turbo Malone’s team of Black saleswomen. The following year, after moving to Colorado, Sarah Breedlove was officially reborn as Madam C.J. Walker. With a mere $1.25 Madam Walker launched her own line of hair products and straighteners, “Madam Walker’s Wonderful Hair Grower.”
Relocating to Indianapolis in 1910, she built a factory for her Walker Manufacturing Company. Not only did she establish the roots for her business, but Madam Walker created training programs for Black women with her “Walker System.” An advocate for Black women’s economic independence and education, she employed 40,000 African American women and men within the U.S. as well as Central America and the Caribbean. In 1917 she founded the National Negro Cosmetics Manufacturers Association.
By the end of her life, Madam Walker’s worth totaled $1 million, much of which she donated in pursuit of helping other African Americans. She covered the tuition for young African American students attending Tuskegee and gave thousands of dollars to the NAACP in support of the anti-lynching movement. Her will was even revised prior to her death, in which she bequeathed an entire two-thirds of her future net profits to charity.
Oprah Winfrey. Need I say more? Not only has she become a household name but Winfrey is the first African American woman to reach billionaire status. Her personality captured the attention and affection of millions with her world-renowned television show, “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” but Winfrey did not stop there.
Born in 1954 on a farm in the small, rural town of Kosciusko, Mississippi, Winfrey was raised by her grandmother who taught her to read and write, something she said saved her life by giving her an outlet that opened the door to all kinds of possibilities. Things took a dark turn for Winfrey when she left the farm to go live with her mother in Wisconsin. She experienced sexual abuse from an older cousin and multiple other people throughout her childhood. It wasn’t until she was sent to live with her father in Nashville, Tennessee that things began to change for the better.
A strict disciplinarian, Winfrey’s father had high expectations for his daughter. Not used to this kind of high-demand upbringing, Winfrey’s father helped show her that she was capable of reaching great heights. His support and motivation led Winfrey to become an honors student. She also joined a number of clubs including the drama club, student council, and she was even selected to go to the White House Conference on Youth. Winfrey’s life had taken a major turn, and she was not going to waste any more time. In high school she was already working as a radio newscaster. Then, while at Tennessee State University, she went on to work for her local TV station as a reporter and co-anchor. It wasn’t until she moved to Baltimore that Winfrey was moved from news to an early morning talk show. This marks the turning point when she truly found her voice.
After taking over a Chicago talk show in 1984, Winfrey rose rapidly to fame, and the show soon became what is now fondly known as “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” What set her apart from so many other talk show hosts was Winfrey’s genuine emotion and compassion as a host and interviewer. She wasn’t afraid to be vulnerable and talk about the abuse she had endured throughout her life. Many people found Winfrey’s struggles and her honesty refreshing and saw it as something they could relate to. Winfrey didn’t just use her show as a platform for speaking her truth, she also wanted to teach people how to change their own lives for the better, just as she had done.
Similar to Madam C.J. Walker, Winfrey used her acclaim and wealth to benefit others. As a philanthropist, she has given much of her time and money to support charities and other philanthropic endeavors. Winfrey also partook in the creation of numerous ventures such as an on-air book club to motivate others and emphasize the power of reading. She launched her magazine “O” as a “personal growth guide” and created the Oxygen network for women. Winfrey started her own production company, Harpo Productions, making her the first African American woman to own her own production company.
Not only will these incredible women be remembered for their wealth and fame, but they both took the hands they had been dealt and found a way to turn it around. These two women completely encapsulate the essence of the word inspiration, and their legacies have impacted and will continue to impact the lives of so many others.
